<p>DS took ACT with writing yesterday and said, afterwards, that he used a wrong pencil in some of the questions. So, he said some of the wrong picks could not be completely erased. Even so the correct answers have darker marks, the wrong ones could still be seen comparing to those total blank ones.</p>
<p>How good are those scanners? Anyone here has any experiences? Should we contact ACT now and ask for a hand scoring?</p>
<p>My son used the wrong pencil on the ACT...</p>
<p>Since scantrons usually pick up those dark smudges, I'd leave it until the results come back. If they seem unnaturally low, ask for hand-scoring. You don't have to mention using the wrong pencil, then, and nothing bad should happen.</p>
<p>He is expecting a 100% score - 34 or higher. So, each possible misread will cost him dearly. I guess we should wait until the score is out. </p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>I'm sorry, I had an inappropriate reaction to the original question and didn't realize I would be taken seriously. Yes, son used the wrong pencil. No, it did not affect the scoring and if it did you can worry about it after the score comes back.</p>
<p>Just gives you an idea about how testing organizations are seen by the public that a tongue in cheek answer that seemed to go beyond the pale was taken seriously.</p>
<p>ACT and SAT need some professional help to upgrade their images!</p>
<p>thanks for the explaination. </p>
<p>How do your son knew for sure it did not effect the scoring? He got a 36?</p>
<p>Talked to DS again. He took three #2 pencil but apparently one of them was very difficult to erase. Once he realized that, he switched to a different pencil. However, the demage was already done. </p>
<p>He got 99% w/o any study last time. This time around, he did three practice tests. So, a high score, 34 or better, should be expected. He felt very good after the testing. Every single question is critical in this regard.</p>
<p>I will call ACT Monday to see what could we do about hand scoring. Don't want to have a low score going out.</p>
<p>Dad II,
Did your S arrange to have his scores sent before the test? If not and he's not happy w/the score, you don't have to send it. S2 always has issues with erasing well, but it has never hurt him on the CB exams.</p>
<p>His school's Scantron is another story. It's really sensitive and more than once, he has had to go back and get correct answers accurately recorded.</p>
<p>We use the "click" erasers -- they look like a pen, only have a length of white eraser inside. (I call them nerd erasers, but I have a sick sense of humor.) It works much better than the crummy erasers on a lot of #2 pencils these days.</p>
<p>S took the ACT yesterday as well and also expects close to 100% except for a calculator malfunction (ran out of charge) which caused him to spend too long on one problem and be unable to complete the last problem before time was called. He said the test was easier than the SAT, however I hear some students feel the SAT is easier. </p>
<p>I agree, the test "companies" images need some upgrading. But I found College Board easier to deal with than ACT. Better instructions etc. S almost went to ACT with the same calculator he took to SAT and would have been "excused" with it. There was a small note that said be sure to check and see if your calculator is "legal" which unfortunately he did not see until the morning of which had us scrounging for a different one and therefore the malfunction.</p>
<p>But to your question - it seems as if when scoring they should be able to pick up on the fact that one mark is a lot darker than the other. This has to be a pretty common occurence.</p>
<p>"have a low score go out."(post 8). You mean the score will automatically go out? Wish you had checked this forum before that too. Almost everyone here recommends that you NOT select the automatic sending of scores. Most advise to wait to see results, then if you're happy send the scores. Errors can Affect scores so most want to check them before sending.</p>
<p>And, just a heads-up - hand scoring costs actual money ($30 for multiple choice, another $30 for the essay), though it will be refunded to you if a scoring error is found. And for an unspecified additional fee, you can be present! You may find that one hard to pass up.</p>
<p>stories like this make me grateful that I didn't get so emotionally invested in my kids' test taking. Neither one took any preparation classes (well, D1 signed up, attended two, and dropped out, feeling it was a waste of her time), and only took it once. Granted I knew they tested pretty well, but I had no clue what to expect on the 'one that counts'; D1 got a 31, and D2 got a 35; I asked them both if they were satisfied with their scores and what it would mean for the schools/programs they were applying to, and they said yes. So the topic was never brought up again.</p>
<p>For that matter, I still don't understand parents who sit down with their high school kids every night and make sure they did their homework (for kids without attention span problems, or learning disabilities). I guess had I done that, maybe my kids would have gotten a 33 and 36 respectively, but the important thing was they were happy with their outcomes.</p>
<p>Just to set the story stright, DS took ACT once w/o writing section. Most of the school he is interested in "requires" the writing part. That is the main reason he is retaking it and we had a discussion here on CC. One or two "mistakes" could mean that DS has to take the test again.</p>
<p>This time DS did the best he could so I will definitely not ground him for not reaching 100%. Had he partied every night before the test, I might. </p>
<p>Each family has their own standard and situation. One could be very satisfied with a 31 but some may not. As long as one is happy with the outcome. If DS is capable of achieving a decent test score, why couldn't we try to cheer him on, especially so much money could be on the line?</p>
<p>Threads like this make me truly appreciate that neither I nor my children are remotely close to perfect. </p>
<p>We neither expect it nor have to be vigilant for it (though admittedly we can not attain it either like some amazing people on here!). But with that recognition comes a certain liberty and peace of mind in its own delightful way. An awareness that in the end, in the big scheme of things, the important and meaningful stuff comes to be, despite much error, human weakness and struggles around the edges along the way.</p>
<p>
[quote]
He is expecting a 100% score - 34 or higher. So, each possible misread will cost him dearly.
[/quote]
Just wondering who is it that is "expecting" the score of 34 or higher?</p>
<p>
[quote]
stories like this make me grateful that I didn't get so emotionally invested in my kids' test taking. Neither one took any preparation classes (well, D1 signed up, attended two, and dropped out, feeling it was a waste of her time), and only took it once. Granted I knew they tested pretty well, but I had no clue what to expect on the 'one that counts'; D1 got a 31, and D2 got a 35; I asked them both if they were satisfied with their scores and what it would mean for the schools/programs they were applying to, and they said yes. So the topic was never brought up again.
[/quote]
Well I have to confess I *did *push my daughter to do some prep (self prep from books) and some retakes. It was all about the money. Her score was fine for getting into her college but getting the higher scholarship that came with a higher score was something I considered was worth some extra effort. She was not very money aware at the time and grumped a bit about it. But she is very money aware now and is very happy now to have the extra $4-5K a year in scholarship money and very little in loans. When she went to the initial meeting for scholar award students she phoned me up and said 'if I had just got one point more I would have got another $$2700 a year!', which just proved she had never listened to me blathering on about why I was having her do the retakes ;) . Like the doc once quipped about one of the kids after a check up "his/her hearing is fine. So he/she just doesn't listen to you".</p>
<p>Dad II--
Can you clarify? If your son used the appropriate #2 pencils, erased the answers he chose to change and then darkened in the corrected choice to the best of his ability (as you indicated in post # 8), what is the problem? Just because there was still some residual appearance of a mark after erasure doesn't mean the scanner will have a problem identifying the corrected, darkest answer.</p>
<p>I have the feeling Son II came home from the test, said he thought he did great except for one answer that he changed but might not have erased properly and Dad II got worried...although I thought Son II was a senior already so isn't it kind of late to be taking ACT?</p>
<p>Muffy,
I thought sonII is a junior, because there would only be 2 years that their EFC would drop due to having 2 kids in college. I do agree that this is probably much ado about nothing.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
He got 99% w/o any study last time. This time around, he did three practice tests. So, a high score, 34 or better, should be expected. He felt very good after the testing. Every single question is critical in this regard.</p>
<p>I will call ACT Monday to see what could we do about hand scoring. Don't want to have a low score going out.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>DadII, do not waste your time calling the ACT now. Read the instructions about getting a hand scoring on their website (if that organization believes in posting clear instructions) and WAIT until the score comes in. After all, there might not be any problems.</p>
<p>As far as problems with filling the bubbles and erasing, you might want to discuss with your son the technique of transferring answers in blocks as opposed as filling the bubbles as you go. This technique is not only faster but also helps eliminating possible errors and needs to erase.</p>